Month: January 2015

Perhaps influenced by the popularity of cooking and culinary reality TV shows, Taipei’s dining scene has been becoming more diversified in recent years. From gourmet Taiwanese cuisine, trendy Peruvian restaurants, to health-conscious vegetarian and vegan cafés, these new restaurants will surely provide something for everyone. By Anita Chen Mountain and Sea House 山海樓 No….

The Taiwanese have become major consumers, especially of higher-end varieties, and the island is now home to two distilleries. By Scott Weaver Taiwan’s growing taste for fine malt whiskies is creating a period of significant change in the market. In the past, night clubs and KTVs were the key channels for consumption of the…

The global craze for the refined French confection sweeps Taiwan’s capital By Matthew Fulco Western desserts have historically been a risky endeavor in Taiwan, where local palates are wary of sweetness in pastries. But in cosmopolitan Taipei, a surge in interest for authentic French desserts paired with afternoon tea is changing the equation. Tea salons…

From modest beginnings, the dumpling restaurant has grown into an international empire. By Don Shapiro When foreign tourists come to Taiwan for the first time, they usually have a plan – whether written or mental – for what they want to see and do here. In the Taipei area, besides appreciating the treasures at…

A decade ago it was difficult to find a decent cup of coffee, but today the city is a haven for specialty blends and cool places to drink them. By Jules Quartly Coffee is a many-splendored thing, and Taiwan’s love affair with it is complicated by the existence of a significant other, namely tea….

Inflight catering kitchens face a host of difficult challenges. By Don Shapiro Preparing tens of thousands of meals a day is a difficult enough task, but the challenge is compounded when the food will be consumed many hours later by diners sitting 30,000 feet or more up in the air. The altitude and even the…

Three companies with somewhat different business models are offering options for those looking for healthfulness and convenience. By Timothy Ferry In the wake of the multiple food scandals that have shaken Taiwan’s faith in its local food industry – and considering the oily, starch-laden foods that typify Taiwanese cooking – health-conscious consumers are hard-pressed to…

Two experienced managers discuss what it takes to make it behind the bar in local night-life establishments. By Timothy Ferry Long-term expats will recall when Taipei’s nightlife consisted primarily of girly bars, karaoke clubs, and a handful of Western night spots. Today, the scene could hardly look more different, with hundreds of bars competing for…

If Taiwan wants to develop a cuisine scene matching its reputation for fantastic night market treats, it still has some way to go. If the world’s dining scene were a level playing field, you would expect Taiwan to be a winner. For historical reasons, it is a melting pot of the best cuisines from all…

Following the merger of Tainan City and Tainan County at the end of 2010, the special municipality of Tainan now encompasses 2,191 square kilometers (eight times the land area of Taipei) and has almost 1.9 million people. Among its far-flung attractions are the hot springs at Guanziling, and the Zengwen, Wushantou, and Nanhua reservoirs. Much…

Taiwan Business TOPICS

Taiwan Business TOPICS is published monthly by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, and covers current topic affecting business conditions in Taiwan, an Industry Focus section on a particular industrial sector, and other reports prepared by the magazine’s staff of experienced professional journalists.